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Mexico Volcano Shoots Ash 20,000 Feet Into Air, Eruption Seen From Space

Officials in Mexico are warning tourists not to get close to the Popocatépetl volcano as it erupts.

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An active volcano in Mexico sent plumes of ash more than 20,000 feet into the air this week as it emitted volcanic gas and water vapor. Dozens of volcanos are erupting simultaneously worldwide, including Popocatépetl 40 miles southeast of Mexico City. The volcano's name translates to "smoking mountain." Popocatépetl is one of Mexico's most active volcanos and has been erupting continuously for nearly two decades. The volcano's alert level is at Yellow, Phase Two, which signifies that Mexico's National Center for the Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) remains attentive to the state of the volcano and is preparing for a possible evacuation if volcanic activity intensifies. The phase two alert is activated when the volcano exhibits a change in its activity, such as exhaling water vapors or gas plumes or causing light ashfall. CENAPRED is monitoring the eruption and issued an update about the state of the volcano on Wednesday. The report said that a "constant emission of water vapor, volcanic gases and ash" has been observing pouring from the volcano and dispersing to the southwest. Ash plumed so high that it could be seen from space, according to social media account Zoom Earth. Newsweek reached out to CENAPRED via email for comment. "Today's eruption of #Popocatépetl as seen from space," the account posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday afternoon. A time-lapse video accompanying the post showed a steady plume of ash pouring from the volcano over a span of several hours.
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Other social media accounts also pointed out that the volcano was expelling lots of ash. "Good morning Popo! Still ashy I see," social media account Volcaholic posted on Wednesday with a webcam video from CENAPRED. Popocatépetl has been erupting since January 2005 and has gone through multiple phases of emitting excessive ash. Its ash plumes have frequently disrupted flights. After a 70-year period of dormancy, Popocatépetl erupted in December 1994. Its volcanic activity heightened in 1996 and 1997. The volcano erupted in 2000, causing thousands of people to evacuate from the surrounding municipalities. The current eruption has been ongoing since January 2005.
Volcano Eruption Sends Ash 20,000 Feet High
The Popocatépetl Volcano spews ash and smoke as seen from Puebal, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 18, 2023. This week, the volcano sent ash plumes 20,000 feet high. Getty
"Popocatépetl has been erupting since January 2005, with near constant venting from fumaroles punctuated by minor steam, gas, and ash emissions," a NASA web page dedicated to the volcano said. The volcano is a popular tourist destination that is home to hiking trails and various excursions, but CENAPRED warned tourists against approaching the volcano while it is active. "Cenapred insists that you do not try to climb the volcano, as explosions occur that throw incandescent fragments, as has been seen recently," a translation of the CENAPRED alert said, urging people to stay more than 7 miles away from the crater.